The String Pattern – Testing Equipment #1
Testing Equipment is a video format by Seb Proisy for Tennis Majors. It will tell you what the pros use to be at their best, and what you should use to have fun and win the more matches. Racquets, shoes, strings, and everything a tennis player need will be tested. The #1 is dedicated to the understanding of what the string pattern is.
The episode #1 is dedicated to the understanding of what the string pattern is. In this video, Seb Proisy explains its importance, even before talking about the tension of the racquet.
“String pattern, and more specifically, the distance between the strings will dramatically affect your ability to put spin on the ball.”
In general, a lot of amateur players don’t even know what string pattern they are using, and are only focused by the tension.
“It should be one of the first things, if not the very first thing you look at when choosing a racquet.”
On your racquet, you’ve got the vertical strings, called the mains, and the horizontal string, called crosses. The mains are strung first, they represent the first number in the string pattern. Two of the most common are 16/19 and 18/20. You can find these numbers on your racquet.
“Because of the greater distance between the bottom of the racquet and its top than between the two sides, there are usually more crosses than mains.”
String pattern affect the game
Seb Proisy explains here the specificity of the string pattern. The fewer mains you have, the greater distance between the strings and the more spin potential you have. In contrast, the more mains you have, the smaller the distance between the strings and the more difficult it is to put spin on the ball.
“In professional tennis, players who play with a lot of spin favor a more open string pattern with 16 mains. That’s the case of the greatest clay court player of all time Rafael Nadal.”
When it is more tight, with 18 mains for exemple, you’ll have less spin, but more control. It also affects the durability of the string.
“The more strings you have, the less space and the less friction between them, the more durable your strings will be.”
